Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for enhancement of aerodynamic performance by using pulse excitation control

US6412732B1 · kind B1 · utility

40Cited by
4References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 6, 2000
Grant dateJul 2, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 6, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T50/10
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

One aspect of the apparatus disclosed herein is a system for modifying an aerodynamic property of an aerodynamic surface in a fluid flow. The fluid flow could comprise a free stream fluid flow, or an internal fluid flow, such as in a nozzle, diffuser, or compressor. The system of the preferred embodiment comprises a synthetic jet actuator embedded in an aerodynamic surface. In one aspect, the aerodynamic surface may be a wing. The synthetic jet actuator typically has a jet housing defining a chamber, where the chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid. This fluid communication may be accomplished via an orifice in a wall of the housing. Additionally, a portion of said housing is preferably moveable such that the volume of the chamber can be adjusted. The system also comprises a device for changing the position of the moveable portion of the housing at a predefined frequency. In this way, the synthetic jet actuator is pulse modulated in order to enhance the synthetic jet actuator's performance. In another aspect, the invention may be seen as a method of controlling a synthetic jet actuator. The method preferably comprises the steps of driving a synthetic jet actuator at a fir…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.